For our dinner in Modena, we are able to visit Al Gatto Verde, located on the property at Casa Maria Luisa and helmed by Chef Jessica Rosval. Once the menus were presented to our table, after an incredible amount of debate, we all decided to opt for the tasting menu. Unfortunately, and only somewhat hyperbolically, it was the worst decision we could’ve made. We really, really, really should’ve listened to our inner foodie selves and gone with the à la carte option.
The meal is explained as being flame-forward, and that is entirely accurate. Unfortunately, many of the dishes were smoky and altogether overwhelming to the palate. I’m all about using heritage techniques; however, it cannot be to make food objectively worse.
To start? After some delicious amuse bouches (which were beautifully deceptive and gave us false hope towards the rest of the menu), while I wouldn’t personally present guests with an ENORMOUS piece of bread (and accouterments) for the first course, that is exactly wha…
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